While many homeowners wait for their garbage disposal to clog and then call for help from a plumber, there are many natural ingredients in your own house that can clean and maintain your garbage disposal, preventing clogs from ever forming. The combination of ingredients you use for your garbage disposal will depend on the state of the disposal.

When flushing your garbage disposal with these products, you may use any combination that will address the needs of your garbage disposal unit:

Coarse Sea Salt

Undissolved coarse sea salt rubs away stuck-on food particles that coat the inside of the garbage disposal. To clean the inside of your unit, combine sea salt with ice, then turn on the disposal and let the unit run. The garbage disposal will grind up the sea salt and ice inside. After a little while, turn on the hot water to dissolve any remaining pieces of ice and salt.

Vinegar

Vinegar is naturally acidic and will eat away at the organic material sticking to the inside of the garbage disposal and the pipes that lead to it. Use vinegar to clear minor clogs. Vinegar also has a strong scent that can override powerful odors coming from the inside of the garbage disposal.

To deodorize your garbage disposal with vinegar, pour the vinegar into the garbage disposal and chase it down with boiling water. Let that sit for a little while, then turn on the garbage disposal and flush out the contents.

Baking Soda

Baking soda is a natural deodorizer that is used to absorb smells all over the house. Baking soda also helps remove grease and sticky foods like melted cheese. To clean out your garbage disposal with baking soda, dump a generous amount into the garbage disposal and follow it with boiling water. The boiling water and baking soda will react by making bubbles, so be prepared for some frothing to overflow into your sink. Turn on the garbage disposal and let it run until the unit is clear.

Citrus Rind

When ground up, citrus rind releases a powerful scent that covers up the smell of old food that may be coming from your garbage disposal. To prevent the rind from clogging the disposal, cut up the rind into very small pieces before chopping them in the garbage disposal.

While plumbers can help clear out clogs in your garbage disposal, flushing your garbage disposal with these ingredients can prevent the clogs from ever occurring in the first place. To learn more, contact a company like Orange Coast Plumbing with any questions you have.

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About Me

It is easy to overlook small things (like worn out gutters,) when it comes to preparing a home for sale. Creating a master checklist and enlisting help from the right professionals can go a long way in ensuring that you get the best offers for your home once it goes on the market.
I have sold seven of my own homes throughout the years, and it still amazes me how something as simple as replacing the gutters can noticeably increase a home's value. I created this website to provide you with all the little tips and tricks that you might not think about once you decide to sell your home. Learn how to set your home apart from the crowd to get the attention and offers you need without the need for a bunch of in depth remodeling projects.